New Deputy Chief Constable For Dorset

Debbie Simpson is currently an Assistant Chief Constable with Devon and Cornwall Police and will take up her appointment with Dorset Police on 1st October.

Debbie said:

“I am greatly looking forward to coming to Dorset Police and taking on a new role and being part of a high performing team that puts the public first.

“My three years in Devon and Cornwall have been greatly enjoyable and it is fantastic that my new role allows me to stay in the region and to continue to enjoy what the south west has to offer.

“As with any change, leaving Devon and Cornwall behind will be difficult, but I can look back fondly on the many excellent police officers and staff I have worked with.

“I don’t underestimate the challenges that could be ahead in what is a very uncertain time for the police service as a whole, but I am committed to delivering to the residents of Dorset the best policing service possible.”

Chair of Dorset Police Authority, Michael Taylor, said:

“By appointing Debbie Simpson as Dorset’s Deputy Chief Constable, the Police Authority is appointing an officer ofextremely high calibre with a considerable depth of policing experience.

“Dorset Police continues to be one of the most efficient and best performing forces in the country which enjoys very high confidence levels nationally.

"As a new member of the Chief Officer Team, Mrs Simpson will play an important part in our relentless focus on further improvement to make Dorset even safer.”

Debbie Simpson joined Bedfordshire Police in 1984, where she served in a range of ranks and roles in both uniform and within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

She rose through the ranks to become Head of CID in Bedfordshire where she also led and coordinated the work of the Force's hostage negotiators.

Debbie transferred to Devon and Cornwall Police in June 2008 on appointment as Assistant Chief Constable and is currently responsible for the Crime and Criminal Justice portfolio.

During her career she has led a number of murder investigations. She also helped manage the UK police response forinternational aid following the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004.

Dorset Chief Constable, Martin Baker, said:

"I am delighted that Debbie Simpson will be joining us. Debbie is a highly skilled and very experienced police officer and I very much look forward to her becoming a member of the team in Dorset Police.”

Mrs Simpson will succeed Dorset Police's current Deputy Chief Constable, Chris Lee, who retires in September this year after athirty year career in policing in London, Hampshire and, since 1999, in Dorset.